The Spanish Subjunctive and Other Topics
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| The Spanish Subjunctive and Other Topics |
Study Note,
I. Author & Purpose
• John Michael Pittaro (1883–1969), American textbook writer and supervisor of modern languages.
• Written as a short, practical supplement for high-school and early-college students who already know basic Spanish grammar.
• Focus: mastery of the subjunctive and a handful of other “trouble spots.”
II. Organisation of the Booklet
1. Review of indicative tenses (quick diagnostic).
2. Formation of the present subjunctive.
3. Uses of the subjunctive in noun, adjective, and adverbial clauses.
4. Imperfect and present-perfect subjunctive.
5. Sequence of tenses.
6. Orthography & punctuation (pre-1950s rules).
7. Miscellaneous topics: ser/estar, por/para, the “personal a,” and false cognates.
III. Formation of the Present Subjunctive
Infinitive | Stem | Subjunctive Endings
-----------|------|-------------------
hablar | habl- | -e, -es, -e, -emos, -éis, -en
comer | com- | -a, -as, -a, -amos, -áis, -an
vivir | viv- | -a, -as, -a, -amos, -áis, -an
Stem-changing verbs keep the same change (pido → pida).
Irregular yo-forms carry over (tengo → tenga, hago → haga).
IV. Core Uses of the Subjunctive (with 2027-style examples)
1. Noun clauses after verbs of
• will/wish: Quiero que vengas.
• emotion: Me alegro de que estés aquÃ.
• doubt/denial: Dudo que tenga tiempo.
2. Adjective clauses after indefinite or negative antecedents:
Busco un apartamento que no cueste mucho.
3. Adverbial clauses after conjunctions of
• time (antes de que, cuando in future): Llámame antes de que salga.
• purpose (para que): Te lo doy para que lo uses.
• condition/concession (a menos que, aunque): No iré a menos que me invites.
V. Sequence of Tenses – One-Slide Reminder
Main-clause verb → Subjunctive tense required
present / future / command → present subjunctive
past (imperfect, preterite, conditional) → imperfect subjunctive
present perfect → present-perfect subjunctive
past perfect → past-perfect subjunctive
VI. Other Topics Covered
• Ser vs. estar: Es simpático (permanent) vs. Está contento (temporary).
• Por vs. para: Por teléfono (means) vs. Para mañana (deadline).
• Personal a: Veo a MarÃa.
• Orthographic accents: pre-1950s rules on diacritics still used in the PDF.
VII. Spelling & Usage Notes for 2027 Readers
• The text follows the 1920s–30s orthography; some accent rules have changed (solo vs. sólo).
• Vocabulary is still current, but modern slang and regionalisms are absent.
• Gender-inclusive language is not addressed.
VIII. Practical Exercises Suggested in the Book
1. Transform indicative sentences into subjunctive after expressions of doubt.
2. Fill-in-the-blank with correct subjunctive tense after time clauses.
3. Translate short English paragraphs containing “I hope,” “I doubt,” “before,” etc.
IX. One-Line Exam Aids
• “Wishes, emotions, doubt, commands, and indefinite futures require the subjunctive.”
• “No subjunctive after Creo que; yes subjunctive after No creo que.”
• “When the main verb is in the past, shift the subjunctive one tense back.”
by Pittaro, John M. (John Michael)